The '''High Hay''' was the great fence that ran from the [[Great East Road]] north to the confluence of the [[Withywindle]] and the [[Brandywine]] south along the eastern border of [[Buckland]], built by the [[Bucklanders]] to protect themselves from the dangers of the [[Old Forest]]. It measured nearly twenty miles and was virtually impenetrable.

The '''High Hay''' (also called '''The Hedge''') was a barrier hedge planted by the [[Hobbits]] of [[Buckland]] to protect their land from [[the Old Forest]].

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== Appearance ==

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Constantly tended, it was thick and tall, and ran for over twenty miles. At the north end the Hay ran down to the river-bank close to the [[Brandywine Bridge]]. Nearby was an opening in the barrier, the [[Buckland Gate|North Gate]], where gate-guards were posted day and night.<ref>{{FR|I5}}</ref> From there the Hay wound southwards to the confluence of the [[Brandywine River]] and the [[Withywindle]]. East of [[Crickhollow]] there was a private entrance that the [[Brandybucks]] used, which was a brick-lined tunnel under the Hay with a gate of thick-set iron bars on the forest side.<ref name="Old Forest">{{FR|I6}}</ref> At the south end there was either another gate or the hedge ended before the meeting of the two rivers because the town of [[Breredon]] was on the Old Forest side of the barrier.<ref>{{AB|Preface}}</ref>

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== History ==

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The High Hay was planted sometime after the foundation of [[Buckland]] but many generations before [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]'s journey from [[Bag End]] to [[Rivendell]]. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] told the [[Travelers|travelling hobbits]] that long ago the trees attacked the Hedge by planting themselves right by it and leaning over it. In response, the Bucklanders cut down hundreds of trees to make a great bonfire in [[Bonfire Glade]] and burned a long strip next to the Hay on its east side.<ref name="Old Forest"/>

Appearance

Constantly tended, it was thick and tall, and ran for over twenty miles. At the north end the Hay ran down to the river-bank close to the Brandywine Bridge. Nearby was an opening in the barrier, the North Gate, where gate-guards were posted day and night.[1] From there the Hay wound southwards to the confluence of the Brandywine River and the Withywindle. East of Crickhollow there was a private entrance that the Brandybucks used, which was a brick-lined tunnel under the Hay with a gate of thick-set iron bars on the forest side.[2] At the south end there was either another gate or the hedge ended before the meeting of the two rivers because the town of Breredon was on the Old Forest side of the barrier.[3]

History

The High Hay was planted sometime after the foundation of Buckland but many generations before Frodo's journey from Bag End to Rivendell. Merry told the travelling hobbits that long ago the trees attacked the Hedge by planting themselves right by it and leaning over it. In response, the Bucklanders cut down hundreds of trees to make a great bonfire in Bonfire Glade and burned a long strip next to the Hay on its east side.[2]